Jamaica: Vote coming soon on repeal of anti-gay law

The Jamaican parliament will soon be asked to vote on whether the country’s law against male-male sexual relations should be repealed, according to an official in the prime minister’s office.

Sen. Sandrea Falconer, the government’s minister without portfolio who has responsibility for information, told the Jamaica Gleaner that the government will soon ask parliament to take a “conscience vote” on the Buggery Law.

Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller, who took office in January 2012, said during her election campaign that Jamaicans should not discriminate against people because of their sexual orientation. She also said she was willing to review the country’s buggery laws, which provide for prison sentences of up to 10 years for male homosexual activity.

LGBT rights activists have criticized Simpson-Miller for not taking the issue to parliament earlier, but others have expressed doubt that the largely anti-gay parliament would repeal the Buggery Law.